Only three teams have won at least 20 consecutive games in the same season: the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers (33), the 2007-08 Houston Rockets (22), and the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks (20). The Washington Capitols also won 20 straight, spanning the end of the 1947-48 season and the start of the 1948-49 campaign.

Thaddeus Young had 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Sixers.

James and the Heat have started to acknowledge just how special this winning streak is in a season that has them running away with the Eastern Conference.

They opened a five-game road trip as 8½-point favorites over the slumping Sixers, a team they've defeated three times during the streak. They beat Atlanta on Tuesday for streak win No. 19, then made the flight to Philadelphia that put them in just before dawn.

‘‘You get sleep when you can and do your job,’’ center Chris Bosh said before the game.

Maybe fatigue played a bit of a role in Miami’s inability to truly put away the Sixers.

Led by Young, the Sixers opened the third quarter on a 16-8 run that helped slice the lead to 4. Miami led, 71-66, at the end of the quarter.

The Sixers hung around in the fourth, too.

Dorell Wright hit a 3-pointer to make it a 6-point game and he followed with a steal and fast-break dunk to cut it 82-78.

Sixers fans coming to see a slice of history were suddenly rooting for history denied. Philadelphia’s fans started going wild to the ‘‘make some noise’’ sign on the video board and started singing the catchy anthem, ‘‘1-2-3-4-5-Sixers!’’

Jrue Holiday brought them back with a 3-pointer for an 83-82 lead with 5:26 left and had fans chanting, ‘‘Beat the Heat!’’

The injury occurred after Bryant put up the baseline jumper with three seconds remaining. His left foot landed on defender Dahntay Jones’s right foot, twisting awkwardly as Bryant crumpled to the court.

He remained down for a few seconds, then hobbled to the bench. Bryant seemed perturbed that he couldn’t stay in the game, but he had to come out since the Lakers had no timeouts.

X-rays were negative.

Wizards 106, Bucks 93 — John Wall had 23 points and 10 assists to help rally host Washington over Milwaukee.